Method and composition for treating arthritis

ABSTRACT

A solution of DMSO and a body reactive agent (such as citric acid) is provided, and is typically topically applied to the body.

This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 656,751, filed Oct. 1, 1984, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 426,868, filed Sept. 29, 1982, both are abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to remedial treatments for arthritis, to relieve pain and/or reduce inflammation and deformation or the causes thereof. More particularly, it concerns a composition and method for removing arthritic calcareous deposits.

There exists a long recognized need for techniques or processes which will alleviate arthritic pain and swelling. None of the current remedies, such as the use of pain killers, serves to reduce arthritic calcareous deposits, and reduce or eliminate inflammation without requiring surgery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a major object of the invention to provide method and composition that will meet the above need. Basically, the method of treating an arthritic zone underlying a skin area, in accordance with the invention, includes the steps:

(a) providing a non-toxic solution that consists essentially of citric acid or other chelate dissolved in DMSO,

(b) and topically applying said solution to the skin area overlying the arthritic zone.

It is found that the solution penetrates the skin and serves to alleviate symptoms of arthritics, such as inflammation, pain and swelling. As will appear, the solution may be applied to a porous pad, to wet same, and the wetted pad may be topically applied at regular intervals to the skin, as at night for as long as necessary to obtain the relief. Several days and in some cases several weeks are required, depending upon the severity of the disease, the skin area being kept wetted. by the solution, and wetted pads being replaced at intervals for this purpose. Other body reactive agents are usable.

Other objects of the invention include providing for carriage of the solution as in a porous pad applicable to the skin, and packaging of the wetted pad.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In use, the acid-DMSO complex solution penetrates the skin, sub-cutaneously, and contacts the arthritic area, characterized by formation of arthritic bone or joint tissue containing calcium phosphate. The citric acid contacts that tissue and reacts therewith to form calcium citrate carried away in the blood stream and removed by liver and kidney function.

The reaction is believed to proceed typically as follows: ##STR1## plus 2H₃ PO₄.

Other reaction products can include "one" calcium citrate, and "two calcium citrate, expressed as follows: ##STR2##

These reaction products are soluble in body fluid such as blood. The treatment is repeated (pad applied) as long as necessary (as at regular intervals, such as during the night) to obtain relief from pain, to reduce or eliminate inflammation, and to reduce swelling and calcareous deposits.

Chelating agents other than citric acid may be employed, and in the same manner as described above for citric acid. Such agents included E.D.T.A. (ethylenedinitrilo) tatraacetic acid, which complexes heavy metals including calcium, and L-tartaric or M-tartaric acid which reacts with calcium deposits to form calcium tartrate. 

We claim:
 1. A method for producing a solution useful for treating a human or animal patient afflicted with arthritis to alleviate inflammation, pain and swelling caused by calcium phosphates in bone or joint tissue, by topically applying an effective amount of said solution to the patient's skin surface overlying the inflammed, painful and swollen area of the patient for a period of time sufficient to alleviate said inflammation, pain and swelling, which method comprises:(a) forming said solution consisting essentially of a mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide and citric acid or citric acid monohydrate by combining between about 20 to 50 weight percent of said citric acid or citric acid monohydrate and between about 80 to 50 weight percent dimethyl sulfoxide, (b) and heating and mixing said citric acid or citric acid monohydrate and dimethyl sulfoxide during the formation of said solution.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said composition is formed to be anhydrous.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising applying the solution to a porous mechanical carrier for ultimate and later application to said skin area.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein said carrier is in the form of gauze.
 5. The method of claim 3 further comprising prepackaging said carrier, with said solution therein, in a frangible outer package. 